Strap handle



Nov. 25, 1969 J. BERGER 3,480,318

STRAP HANDLE Filed April 6, 196'? 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 a; i K 5e 60 v (66 /N VE N TOR J4 ck BERGER A 77OR/VEY J. BERGER STRAP HANDLE Nov. 25, 1969 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 6, 1967 A O Q/VEY United States Patent Ofitice 3,480,318 Patented Nov. 25, 1969 U.s. Cl. 294-33 7 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A flexible strap handle for detachable coupling to beaded rim containers. The handle is flexible and resilient and at each end of an elongated body member has a coupling portion for detachable coupling to the bead on the rim of containers such as food containers, paint cans, and the like. Each coupling portion has a hook section engaging the outside of the bead and a tongue section engaging the inside of the bead and the resiliency of the material and the shape thereof frictionally pinches the head between the tongue section and the hook section thereby restraining the strap on the container during handling and other utilization thereof. The flexibility of the strap allows it to be deformed so it may be removed from the container to facilitate removal of the contents of the container.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION Field of invention This invention relates to the handle art and more partic ularly to a flexible handle for detachable coupling to a beaded rim container.

Description of prior art In many applications it is desirable to carry containers that have as their contents material that may cause direct handling of the containers uncomfortable. For example, many take-home restaurant type dispensing stores sell hot food in such containers for the patron thereof to take home and enjoy in the privacy of his own dwelling. These containers, as exemplified by, for example, those utilized at Colonel Sanders Southern Fried Chicken establishments or Chicken Delight establishments are often made of cardboard or plastic coated cardboard or similar materials having a beaded or rolled rim around the upper edge portions thereof. A lid or other closure member is often provided with these containers and is set below the beaded rim a predetermined distance on the order of onehalf an inch to one inch, more or less.

To the best of applicants knowledge there has not, heretofore, been available a handle for conveniently handling or carrying such containers. Further, in the storing and shipping of these containers prior to their utilization, they are often stored nested and to minimize storage and shipping costs the nesting is as compact as possible. Therefore, the handle for such containers should, preferably, be detachable from the container and be able to be stored and shipped as a separate item. Further, such handles since they are often utilized in throw away or disposable type application, should preferably be economical to manufacture and utilize.

It will be appreciated that while applicants invention is described herein as utilized in an embodiment for a detachable handle for a food container, applicants improved strap handle may equally well be utilized on any contanier, such as paint buckets, or the like, wherever there is a construction of the container providing the equivalent to a beaded rim.

SUMMARY Accordingly, it is an object of applicants invention herein to provide an improved handle arrangement.

It is another object of applicants invention herein to provide a handle arrangement for beaded rim containers.

It is another object of applicants invention herein to provide an improved handle for detachable coupling to beaded rim containers.

The above and other objects of applicants invention are achieved, according to one embodiment of applicants invention, by providing an elongated flexible resilient body member comprising applicants improved strap handle. The body member has a central portion which is adapted to be gripped when transporting the container upon which the improved strap handle is utilized. At each end of the central portion there is a coupling portion that is adapted to be detachably coupled to the bead of such a beaded rim container. The coupling portion comprises a hook section that engages the outside surface of the bead and a tongue section that engages the inside surface of the bead. The flexible resiliency of the strap handle provides a pinching action between the tongue and the hook section so that the beaded rim is pinched therebetween.

Applicant has found that forces exerted on the strap handle as experienced during carrying a container by means of the strap handle tend to increase the frictional pinching between the tongue member and the hook member to provide a tighter grip of the strap handle on the container. The strap handle is basically a flat member with only slight projections at the coupling portion and consequently may be conveniently stored and shipped. The flexible resiliency of the strap handle allows the strap handle to be restorably deformed so that it may be detachably coupled to the beaded rim.

Brief description of drawing The above and other embodiments of applicants invention are explained in detail in the following detailed description taken together with the accompanying drawing wherein similar reference characters refer to similar elements throughout and in which:

FIGURES 1 and 2 illustrate one embodiment of applicants invention as utilized on a beaded rim container;

FIGURES 3 and 4 illustrate the embodiment of applicants invention shown in FIGURES l and 2;

FIGURES 5 and 6 illustrate another embodiment of applicants invention; and

FIGURES 7, 8 and 9 illustrate another embodiment of applicants invention.

Description of preferred embodiments Referring now to FIGURES l, 2, 3 and 4 of the drawing, there is shown one embodiment of applicants invention, generally designated 10 as utilized, for example, on a beaded rim container 12. The beaded rim container 12 has a rolled or beaded rim 14 along the upper edge thereof and the bead 14 along the upper edge thereof and the bead 14 has an outside portion 16 on the external side of the container 12 and an inside portion 18 on the internal side thereof. The container 12 may often be provided with a lid 20 that fits detachably into a groove 22 on the internal wall of the container 12 and is spaced a preselected distance below the bead 14. The lid 20 snaps into place in the groove 22 to provide a sealed volume 24 for the storage of, for example, fried chicken or any other commodity as may be desired.

This description of a beaded rim container is presented so that the operation and utilization of applicants improved strap handle may be better understood. It will be appreciated, of course, that the container per se does not form a part of applicants invention herein.

The embodiment of applicants invention 10 shown in FIGURES 1 and 2 and as shown in greater detail in FIGURES 3 and 4 comprise an elongated flexible resilient body member 26 having a central portion 28 that, when utilized as indicated in FIGURES 1 and 2, is adapted to be gripped by the hand so that the container 12 may be supported from the strap handle 10.

The strap handle 10 further has a pair of coupling portions 30 and 32 at each end of the central portion 28 and the coupling portions are adapted to be detachably coupled to the bead 14 of the container 12. The coupling portions 30 and 32 are identical and are comprised of a hook section 34 and a tongue section 36. The hook section 34 is adapted to engage the outside surface 16 of the head 14 and the tongue section 36 is adapted to engage the inside of the bead 14 and the resiliency of the strap 10 pinches the bead 14 between a tongue section 36 and the hook section 34.

The tongue section 36 is spaced apart from the hook section 34 and is resiliently hinged to the central portion 28.

In order to detachably couple and uncouple the strap handle 10 from the container 12, the strap handle may be resiliently and restorably deformed by placing the end 38 of the hook section 34 against the bead and bending the central portion 28 in a direction indicated by the arrow 40. Such motion moves the tongue section 36 sufficientl-y away from the hook section 34 so that it may fit over the inside of the bead 14. Leaving the handle 10 to return to its position before moving in the direction of the arrow 40 provides the resilient gripping action for the frictional pinching of the bead 14 between the tongue section 36 and the hook section 34. In addition, it will be appreciated, that the tongue section 36 may, by itself, be otherwise spread apart from its relationship to the hook section 34 as indicated in FIGURES 3 and 4 by any desired means in order that it may be detachably secured to the beaded rim 14 as indicated in FIGURES l and 2.

In the embodiment shown in FIGURES 1, 2, 3 and 4, the coupling portions 30 and 32 further comprise a pair of arms 42 and 44 in spaced apart relationship that connect a gripping portion 46 to the central portion 28. In this embodiment the tongue section 36 is positioned between the arms 42 and 44 and is an extension of the central portion 28.

The flexible resilient nature of applicants improved strap handle 10 may be provided by fabricating the strap handle 10 from any desired flexible resilient material such as linear polyethylene, polypropylene, or similar such plastic or other materials. When fabricated from such plastics as above-mentioned, it may be injection molded, formed and die cut, or stamped, or the like.

It can be seen from FIGURES 1 and 2 that applicants improved strap handle 10 conveniently fits on the container 12 even though the lid 20 thereof is in place and thus allows convenient transportation of the container 12 when desired.

It will be appreciated that applicants invention may be made in various forms. FIGURES and 6 illustrate another arrangement of applicants invention wherein there is provided a strap handle designated 50 having a central portion 52 and a coupling portion 54 coupled to one end thereof and a similar coupling portion (not shown) coupled to the other end thereof. The coupling portion 54, in this embodiment of applicants invention, is comprised of a hook section 56 and a tongue section 58. How

ever, as shown in FIGURES 5 and 6 the hook section 56 52. The operation of this embodiment of applicants invention is similar to that described above in the embodiments shown in FIGURES l, 2, 3 and 4, in providing a detachable coupling to a beaded rim container (not shown). That is, the first straight segment 60 may be resiliently spread apart from the second straight segment 62 and the tongue section 58 may similarly be resiliently spread apart from its relationship to the hook section 56 so that a bead or other upper rim projection as may be provided On a container may he slipped therebetween for frictional pinching and retention.

In the embodiment shown on FIGURES 3 and 4, it can be seen that both the arm portions 42 and 44, as well as the gripping portion 46, are curved and are out of the plane defined by the central portion 28. Thus, while the preferred embodiments of applicants invention shown herein indicate that the coupling portions do' not lie in the same plane as the central portion of applicants improved strap handle, it will be appreciated that variations in this construction in which the tongue section 58, the hook section 56 or portions thereof, may be substantially coplanar with the central portion of the strap handle.

FIGURES 7, 8 and 9 illustrate another embodiment of applicants invention of an improved detachable strap handle. In many applications of applicants invention, applicant has found that there may be a tendency of certain combinations of strap handle material and container material to allow laterally directed movement of the strap handle on the beaded rim of the container. That is, as shown on FIGURE 1, the strap handle could, in certain applications, rotate on the beaded rim around the periphery thereof. In order to prevent such lateral movement and to provide a better frictional retention between the rim and the coupling portion of the strap handle, applicant has provided the arrangement illustrated in FIGURES 7, 8 and 9.

As shown thereon, this embodiment of applicants in vention, generally designated 70, is provided with an elongated flexible resilient body member 72 comprising the strap handle and having a central portion 74 and a coupling portion 76. In this embodiment of applicants invention the central portion 74 may be provided with a flat section 75 which is gripped in the hand during transporting of the container to which the strap handle may be attached and an intermediate section 77 between the flattened section 75 and the coupling portion 76. The intermediate section 77 may be of any desired cross-sectional shape and preferably has substantially equal bending characteristics in any direction.

The coupling portion 76 is provided with a hook section 78 and a tongue section 80. As with the other embodiments of applicants invention described above, the tongue section 80is resiliently hinged to a flattened section 81 of the coupling portion 76 and is spaced apart from the hook section 78.

The hook section 78 is provided with a pair of arms 82 and 84 for supporting gripping section 86 in opposed relationship to the tongue section 80. In this embodiment of applicants invention, the arms 82 and 84 extend part of the way around the hook section 78 from the flattened section 81. The gripping section 86 is providedwith a comparatively sharpened edge 88 opposite the tongue section 80 to provide better gripping between the side of the container and the beaded rim portion. That is, the sharpened edge 88 tends to dig into and more securely retain the handle on the container.

To prevent lateral movement of the-improved strap handle 70, applicant provides a pair of tab members 90 and 92 that, when the straphandle 70 .is positioned on a container such as the container 12 of FIGURE 1, the forward edges 94and 96'thereof, respectively, engage the external surfaces of the rim'and thus provide a greater percentage of the total circular periphery of the beaded rim, as shown for example in FIGURE 2, in contact with at least a portion of the strap handle 70. This engagement of the tabs 90 and 92 with the beaded rim tends to prevent the above mentioned lateral movement around the rim.

When the container 12, of FIGURES 1 and 2, is fabricated from a comparatively soft material, such as cardboard or the like, or in other applications, applicant also prefers to provide a pair of V-shaped ridges 98 and 100 on the undersurface 102 of each of the pair of arms 82 and 84. As can be seen, the V ridges 98 and 100 extend around the hook section 78 to the gripping portions 86 and may, if desired, extend around the gripping portion 86 also. When the strap handle 70 is positioned on a beaded rim container, the V-shaped ridged 98 and 100 tend to dig into the beaded rim to provide a better gripping action therebetween and thus also help prevent lateral movement of the handle on the beaded container and provide a better rentention therebetween.

Further, the slot 104 in the edge 88 of the gripping section 86 provides additional corners 106 and 108 to provide gripping action against the underside of the beaded rim in the case of misalignment or the like.

Thus, the embodiment of applicants invention illustrated in FIGURES 7, 8 and 9 provide a firmer and more secure grip on the beaded rim of such a container.

This concludes the description of applicants invention of an improved strap handle. From the above it can be seen that applicant has provided an improved flexible strap handle that may be conveniently detachably coupled to beaded rim containers so that the containers may be supported by and carried by the strap handle. The strap handle may be economically fabricated so that it may be utilized in disposable applications. Further, the strap handle of applicants invention may be conveniently stored in a substantially fiat condition, thereby minimizing storage and shipping costs.

Those skilled in the art may find many variations and adaptations of applicants improved invention. Therefore, the following claims are intended to cover all such variations and adaptations falling within the true scope and spirit of applicants inveniton.

What is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. A strap handle for beaded rim containers comprising, in combination:

an elongated, flexible, resilient body member having a central portion and a pair of coupling portions, one of said pair of coupling portions disposed on each end of said central portion;

each of said coupling portions for detachable coupling to the bead of the beaded rim container and comprising a hook section for engaging one side of the beaded rim at a predetermined location thereon, and a tongue section adjacent to and spaced apart from said hook section and resiliently hinged to said central portion for engaging an opposite side of the bead at said preselected location for detachably, frictionally pinching the bead between said hook section and said tongue section to restrain said bead therebetween; and

said hook section comprises a gripping portion and a pair of spaced apart arm portions connecting said grip portion to said central portions; and

said tongue section is positioned between said arm portions.

2. The arrangement defined in claim 1 wherein:

said arm portions and said gripping portions comprise straight segments.

3. The arrangement defined in claim 1 wherein:

said arm portions and said gripping portions are curved, and said gripping portion engages the outside of said bead and said tongue section engages the inside of the bead.

4. The arrangement defined in claim 1 wherein:

said hook section further comprises a pair of side tabs in spaced apart relationship coupled to said spaced apart arm portions and having bead engaging edges spaced apart from said gripping section of said hook section; and

said gripping section is further provided with a sharpened edge for engaging the intersection between the beaded rim and the wall of the container.

5. The arrangement defined in claim 4 and further comprising:

a pair of T-shaped ridges extending along the underside of said spaced apart arm portions for engaging the beaded rim of the container along the edge of said V-shaped ridges.

6. The arrangement defined in claim 5, wherein:

said sharpened edge of said gripping section is provided with a notch therein positioned substantially opposite said tongue section.

7. The arrangement defined in claim 1, and further comprising:

a pair of V-shaped ridges, one of said pair coupled to each of said pair of spaced apart arm portions on the under surface thereof, extending along said under surface of said arm portions toward said gripping section for engagement with the beaded rim of the container, whereby the edges of said V-shaped ridges dig'into the beaded rim of the container to prevent movement of the strap handle on the beaded rim.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,519,160 12/1924 Nedrow 29416 2,756,566 7/ 1956 Sampson et a1 220-94 X 2,879,916 3/1959 Hoffmann et al 220-96 3,278,216 10/ 1966 Hidding 294-33 FOREIGN PATENTS 405,352 2/ 1934 Great Britain.

ANDRES H. NIELSEN, Primary Examiner 

